Prompt 2

• Nationalism 


  This was a powerful force at the turn of the 20th century, characterized by self-interest and competitiveness among nations. Not all ethnic groups had their own state, leading to tensions within empires. For example, the Slavs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Irish under British rule, and the Poles in the Russian Empire all harbored nationalist sentiments that contributed to the instability.
• Imperialism 


  European powers were in fierce competition for colonies, resources, and markets. Germany, feeling left out of the “Scramble for Africa,” adopted a more assertive foreign policy. This competition, particularly between Britain and Germany, created economic tensions, as British trade policies were seen as debilitating for other European economies.
• Militarism


  The industrialization of the military led to the development of new machines, ships, vehicles, guns, and other weapons. This rapid growth of industry and commerce fueled an arms race, primarily between Germany and Great Britain, as they competed to build up their military forces and weapons technology. Militarism also involved the glorification of military power and aggressive preparedness, creating a culture of war that was favored by many political leaders.
• Alliances


  The system of treaties and alliances between European powers created a balance of power but also meant that conflicts could quickly escalate. The Triple Alliance of 1882 included Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Italy, while the Triple Entente of 1907 comprised Great Britain, France, and Russia. Smaller powers like Serbia and Belgium were caught in the middle, particularly in the volatile Balkans region, which saw a series of conflicts from 1908 to 1913 involving Slavs, Russia, and Austria-Hungary.
• Mobilization of Schlieffen Plan

  The mobilization of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Germany, and Russia, along with Germany’s Schlieffen Plan to quickly defeat France before turning east to Russia, demonstrated the confidence and preparedness of the military. The plan’s failure and the subsequent trench warfare on the Western Front, along with battles like the Somme and Verdun, turned the conflict into a war of attrition.
• Eastern and Balkan Fronts


  Russia’s quicker-than-expected mobilization, the mobility and fast strikes on the Eastern Front, and the failed campaigns in the Balkans by the Austro-Hungarian Empire further complicated the situation. The Gallipoli Campaign, an attempt by Entente forces to open up ports and protect the Suez Canal, ended in heavy losses for both sides.
• Nationalism


  • Self-interest and competitiveness
  • Not all ethnicities created their own state
• Ethnicities that did not create their own state

  • Slavs in Austria-Hungarian empire
  • Irish in British empire
  • Poles in the Russia empire
• Germany


  • Felt they were unfairly left out of the "Scramble for Africa"
  • More assertive foreign policy
• Economic Tensions


  • Germany and Britain
  • British trade policies were debilitating for other Europeans
• Militarism


  • Industrialization in military
  • Arms Race
  • Glorification of military power and aggressive military preparedness
  • Create a culture of war
  • Favored by most political leaders
• Alliances


  • System of treaties and alliances between European powers
  • Created a balance of power
• Alliances


  • Triple Alliance (1882: Germany, Austria-Hungarian empire, and Italy)
  • Triple Entente (1907: Great Britain, France, and Russia)
• Smaller powers such as Serbia and Belgium caught in the middle of the alliance system
• The Balkans saw a series of conflicts from 1908-1913 involving Slavs, Russia, and Austria-Hungarian
• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand


  June 28, 1914
• Russia backed Slavic movement for independence

  Austria-Hungarian blamed Serbian government
• Serbia refused Austria-Hungarian demands and asked Germany to fight with them if Russia got involved, leading to Germany giving Russia a "Blank Check"
• Austria-Hungarian empire declared war on Serbia


  July 28, 1914
• Outbreak of the War

  1. Austria-Hungarian empire, Germany and Russia mobilize

  2. Germany gives Russia 12 hours to stop mobilizing

  3. Germany declares war against France

  4. Great Britain declares war against Germany
• Military Technology


  • Trench warfare
  • Machine guns
  • Grenades
  • Aircraft
• Western Front 1914


  1. German troops march through Belgium to bypass French fortified positions

  2. Heavy resistance

  3. Germans advance in France but are pushed back

  4. Trench warfare dominates
• Western Front 1915-1916


  1. Battle of the Somme

  2. Battle of Verdun

  3. War of attrition and trench warfare
• Eastern Front


  1. Russia mobilized faster than expected

  2. Germany and Austria-Hungarian empire mobility and fast strikes

  3. Enormous loss of life

  4. Brusilov Offensive
• Balkan Theatre


  1. Three failed campaigns by Austrian-Hungarian empire

  2. Bulgaria and Ottoman Empire join

  3. German pushes Serbians back

  4. Allied forces make large push
• Gallipoli Campaign 1915-1916


  1. Entente forces vs Turkish forces

  2. Invasion failed and abandoned

  3. Heavy losses on both sides